How big for offshore but still lakeable
 

After seeing the APBA races in Milw. and the Poker run they did that weekend also, plus running on the Mississippi with the Liquid Jungle crew
IT'S INEVITABLE I'm going to need a bigger boat:D

The problem is a lot of my boating is done close to home on our small 500 acre lake.

I have two 21' boats now that have served their purpose well but I've been bittin by this offshore bug.

My shop is 10 min. from a nice launch on Lake Michigan, now every day it's callin my name;)

No less than 24' and a good amount of freeboard.

how big is your wallet? that is what determined the size i got,, hihi.. and tow rig, too, had to buy a new truck too.
i wouldnt mind a 46 skater or 42 ol or 46 cig with some sterlings to idle around the little lake,,
but i got an ittie bittie wallet so i dont have one.

Keep one of the 21's, then don't half step, go to at least a 30 footer, otherwise just the wakes from other boats in a poker run will swamp your azz! Been there, done that.

Now how about opinions on efficent hulls so I can afford all the gas I'll be going through.

I'm particulary interested in a used west coast custom like an Ultra 247XS, Nordic Scandia, Howard Bullet, maybe an Advantage Citation or even something by Laveycraft.

Any input on hull efficency?

CUDA I HEAR YA BUT...
 

I have to stick with a single engine and it has to be trailerable.

I know I cannot afford a big 'ol twin engine boat but I would like to see at least 80 mph out of it!!!

That seems to leave me with around 25-28' single engine, maybe blown but alot of horses under the hatch.

..have to say 28-30ft... a Velocity, Pantera, Superboat, Phantom, Sutphen...older Cig 28...

with the right power you'd have the speed, and the bigger water capability...

good luck

:cool:

Boats For Sale
 

..there are a number of these for sale here on the board...I forgot the Kryptonites as well...

F1 Typhoon boat is available...World Champ!

check it out...

If I was going with a single, it'd be a 28 Pantera, no doubt.

I though you said big:D

The 50' scarab "dejaVoodoo" that was on the poker run is for sale. Now that is BIG.

Seriously though there are tons of choices in that size range. Find the one that you can get the best price on. Boats are going cheap lately.

Brian

Have a look at my Checkmate 259 Convincor in the classified section. HP500 plus lots of freeboard for a boat its size.

If it has to be a single.....and you still want to get out & run with the big dogs........28 Pantera will be very hard to beat...........

yep . . .25 convincor. they have been making them since the mid 80's so you can find them very resonably.great looking boat, good performer. one of my all time favorites. :cool: :cool:

good lookin boat roger:cool:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by glassdave
yep . . .25 convincor. they have been making them since the mid 80's so you can find them very resonably.great looking boat, good performer. one of my all time favorites. :cool: :cool:

good lookin boat roger:cool: [/QUOTE
Thanks Dave!]

Go with the 28 Pantera W/O power in the boats for sale section !!!!!!!!!!

I have an absolutely MINT 27' Progression with a 496 HO Mag that does in the low 70's.
Indoor stored year 'round with low hours...

Tandem aluminum trailer included.

I'll make a killer deal for ya !!!!!

I'd go for a 28' Skater.

CAN'T FIND EITHER ONE
 

The only Pantera I see is with power almost $70,000, and the only 25' checkmate is on the east coast, not in IL which is a short drive for me.

Where is the 25' your talking about?

I'm really on my way to the bank right now for details on a loan.

I also have a 1997 253 Convincor for sale. 575hp.

The convincor's are true to thier model size.... 25' 3" and then the platform. overall's at about 27'.

I think this is the Pantera.http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=56255

One sweet looking ride, it is twins though.

There are two late 80's Checkmate 24 enforcers for sale here in MN. They are a little smaller with less free board than the Convincer. But faster from what I've been told.

What's your price range?

Re: CAN'T FIND EITHER ONE
 

Roger is in Illinois about 50 miles S of Chicago. If he doesn't see your post, drop him a PM or e-mail (or PM me and I'll give you his number). I've known Roger for years (I grew up there) and he is a perfectionist with his toys. Just ask him about his 62 Corvette ... perfect.

-Greg

Re: CAN'T FIND EITHER ONE
 

My Checkmate is in the classified section under Boats-Checkmate.

It is also in the boats for sale forum. I`ll go bring it to the top for you.

29 Fountain would be nice

Pantera if you want to run in the rough as well as a lake. 28 trailers easy and runs good in the rough.

A good number would be 28' to start but that does not include any built-in or bolt on swim platforms! Also real K-planes is a must for when you are running the offshore and it turns from marine to an aviation enviroment( wave launching)!! A.T, Powerplay, Apache and Pantera would be good choices to start with!

Got em`

Ok, I have resisted butting in cause I am just a "girl"
but I live on a 500 acre lake, and it it is no Lake Cumberland or Dale Hollow, it's a POND. I have seen people have the "one boat mentality" and they are never happy. If you go bigger than you have now in an OS style, when you use it at home you will barely be on plane before you reach the end of the lake. In addition you will probably be pissing your neighbors off because you are to loud, to big, and to fast, let along probably over the speed limit (no place to hide on 500 acres!) Do you honestly think 70 miles plus is safe, possible, and even fun on 500 acres? All the boats suggested are good boats, but if you want to really boat on Lake MI and do poker runs a 25 ft will be limiting, ask 26 Scarab, I believe they had to drop out of the Lake St Clair poker run because of the chop. If there is any way you could keep one of you 21 footers or get something even cheaper for home, you might be able to get an older slightly longer one (28+) for Lake MI, I honestly think you and your neighbors will be happier.

I agree, anything in the 28 to 30 foot range would be perfect. Now you just have to decide which make to choose from out of the numerous good offshore boats out there. Good luck.

hmm.............offshore boats with efficient hulls.

When you figure that one out let us all know. :)

Length X Width = $$$$urface area

How long a boat did you say you wanted??:D

YOU DIDN'T TELL ME HOW MUCH MONEY THIS WAS GOING TO BE
 

O.K. PANTERA IS OUT.... WELL ANYTHING THAT'S NEWER (in those sizes) IS SCRATCHED OFF MY LIST.

God what do you people do for a living?!?

I should have bought the boat first, then the house.

J/K my mortgage is very comfortable right now, it's the second mortgage I'm stating to worry about!!!

Mark in Philly has a very attractive 1997 253 blown Convincor for sale that seems to be a good compromising size to start.

Ms P.Y. I hear what your saying but for now in my climate with my budget I'm going to take a few small steps instead of such a big one.
That'll also give me the opportunity to master driving, docking etc. in smaller steps rather than going from a 21' single engine to a 30'+ twin:eek:

[B]hmm.............offshore boats with efficient hulls.

When you figure that one out let us all know. :)

Length X Width = $$$$urface area



ofshore I'm a Hotboat reader and those guys on the west coast have me convinced those stepped hulls are the latest and greatest.
My question is what's better or which is more efficient to save some pennies at the pump?

Newbies.... what to do:rolleyes:

Yep you got that right, there's lakes and then there's LAKES.................are you going to be in Grand Haven?

Your probably right stepped hulls are said to be a little more efficient but weather it would be enough to really see it at the pump I don't know. There was a thread in the technical forum that talked about weather one large motor or two smaller ones were more efficient and i think someone said the single motor was slightly more efficient but not enough to really make a difference. Your best bet would probably be to decide what you want and ask who has one and approximately what kind of fuel mileage they get.

Velocity
 

..is an efficient hull...good speed from less Hp

25 AT, Solid Performer!!!:D

25 AT?
 

Is that a Velocity?

I'm looking at the Checkmates right now and they have a few different 25' models.

Can anyone tell me the diff between the 251 - 253 - 259?

25 AT = 25 foot, Active Thunder

Checkmates 251 was an older design with a narrower beam. I believe it was the most efficient of the hulls. More speed with the same power.

Are you looking for a west coast custom boat? There are some in the 25-30' range that are well built and do well in rough water, but they proably are not very well known on the right coast....

Howard Bullet
 

Bullet, I love what I'm hearing about it, I also really like some of the Ultra's and the Nordic Rage 25'.

Alot of the west coast customs look very efficent when it comes down the hull design.

I don't want to run to MI from WI, I really want a Lake Rocket that I can dabble in the big puddles on occasion.